Women’s Euro 2009 Team of the Tournament

So here’s the team of the tournament, in our humble opinion, of course! If you agree, disagree or not sure, let us know using the comments at the bottom of the page.

I’m playing a 4-3-3 here as is the current style.

The Team

N.Angerer

T.Akerhaugen ~ A.Hingst ~ D.Koster ~ S.Gama

S.Laudehr ~ I.Stensland ~ C.Abily

K.Carney ~ I.Grings ~ K.Smith

Subs:
Anna Maria Picarelli (Italy)
Sara Thunebro (Sweden)
Manoe Meulen (Holland)
Fatmire Bajramaj (Germany)
Manon Melis (Holland)

Manager: Bjarne Berntsen (Norway)

Here’s Why:

Nadine Angerer (Germany)
The least worked keeper in womens’ football but there is no doubt that Angerer is the best in Europe and she proved her quality again during this tournament. Bossed her area and her defence like no other keeper in the competition and spared her side extra time against Italy with a stupendous last minute save.

Toril Hetland Akerhaugen (Norway)
Performed consistently throughout as Norway reached the last four and produced some of the most memorable, and bone shaking, challenges of the tournament.

Ariane Hingst (Germany)
Her tournament ended prematurely after suffering an injury in the quarter final against Italy and the German defence did not look quite so invulnerable without her. Commanding in the air and on the ground and an expert reader of the game.

Daphne Koster (Holland)
Koster’s bleached blonde hair was one of the most noticeable features of the tournament as she popped up everywhere at the heart of Holland’s blanket defence.

Sara Gama (Italy)
Hugely impressive youngster who handled her defensive duties capably and was always eager to burst forward in support of her attack. Even against the intimidating Germans Gama wanted to carry the fight to the opposition.

Simone Laudehr (Germany)
Laudehr was used mainly as a substitute in this tournament but she always seemed to add a bit of extra class when she was brought on. Everything she does has a touch of silk about it which is welcome among the machine like power and efficiency of the Germans.

Ingvild Stensland (Norway)
Stensland is a majestic player at her best and she reached those heights on a couple of occasions during this tournament. Her first half display against the Germans, when she controlled proceedings almost totally, was a sight to behold. Smooth in movement and operation, Stensland is genuine class.

Camille Abily (France)
A player blessed with genuine skill and creativity, Abily supplied several of the best individual moments of the tournament, the most notable of these being the remarkable goal she scored against Norway.

Karen Carney (England)
Carney is the epitome of English football at its’ best. Hard working and hugely energetic she also has real skill, creativity and a fine footballing brain. It was no surprise that she ended up with most assists in the tournament and also scored a couple herself.

Inka Grings (Germany)
Grings only returned to the German national side earlier this year after being plagued by injury for almost four years and she certainly made up for lost time. Ended up leading scorer with six goals but it was her all round contribution that really stood out. Quick and clever in her movements she was difficult to pin down and used the ball intelligently when not in a position to s6trike for goal herself.

Kelly Smith (England)
England’s finest put on another wonderful exhibition despite being dogged by injury problems throughout. Produced several of her trademark bursts along the byeline, setting up Carney’s goal in the final in magnificent style, and brought the house down with her 45 yard volley against Russia.

Manager: Bjarne Berntsen (Norway)
It was tempting to give this award to Holland’s Vera Pauw as they were the team that over achieved at the tournament and were obviously playing to a rigid gameplan but we cannot endorse any manager who sits back and watches their team stay in their own half letting the other team knock the ball around at the back unchallenged even though they are a goal behind. Therefore Berntsen gets the vote.

Norway came into the tournament in apparent disarray after several leading players refused to be considered and they took a real hiding from Germany in their opening game. Berntsen managed to rally his troops, however, and then led them to a thrilling quarter final victory over old rivals, Sweden.

The dream was really on for forty five minutes in the semi finals as Norway led, and outplayed, the Germans and although this could not be maintained Norway ended the tournament with heads held high. They also looked to be the team with the best spirit and the ones enjoying themselves the most.